FOOTBALL!

[F-H]

[F-H]

[Kris]

[F-H]

[Kris]

You are very gracious Forbes! Thanks mate.

Seriously though, 11 wins out of 12 games this season? What the hell is going on?!

Just need Reading and Southampton to draw tomorrow
_________________
"fashioned by the blade of a world that doesn't care,
feeling so removed, drifting thru stealing air then...
pause and think about it, try to move and shift the pain, but it's there you feel it kicking and you scream and feel alive."

[F-H]

[Tommy BOO]

[Kris]

[Kris]

Southampton 0 - 0 Reading

and Sheffield United are 6 points clear almost a quarter of the way through the season.

Carry on like this and we'll win the League in December and get over 130 points!!!

* Get's real *
_________________
"fashioned by the blade of a world that doesn't care,
feeling so removed, drifting thru stealing air then...
pause and think about it, try to move and shift the pain, but it's there you feel it kicking and you scream and feel alive."

[Tommy BOO]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Chelsea

The final result is not a very big surprise really, but I thought the game was pretty good anyway. Liverpool were the better side and really deserved to win, Chelsea were boring, dirty, and not very good.
I think that Traore, Hyypiä, Hamann, Alonso and Crouch all played well tonight. Duff and Wright-Phillips had no chance against Traore, Hyypiä kept Drogba out of the game and had a penalty turned down, and Crouch won everything in the air. Chelsea were completely lost on the second half and they had to foul all the time, at the end they were just trying to defend the draw which was boring.

Also, congratulations for Artmedia Bratislava who were already 2-0 down against FC Porto on the first half, but still won 2-3. Good stuff.


_________________
"Tommy Boo has played a pivotal role in my life. I've looked up to him since I was a kid and he has inspired every note of music I have ever written. The man is a fucking genius" -BC

[John Mc]

I thought we were the better side but didn't create too much. Chelsea look solid but I don't think they're the invincible team that everyone seems to think they are. They've been lucky with injuries, If Makelele and Lampard were out for a bit then it would be interesting to see how they'd cope.

[discoRdance]

Liverpool were "lucky" to win the League Cup, "lucky" to win the FA Cup and "lucky" to win the UEFA Cup, all in 2001; Liverpool were "lucky" to win the Champions League - not just the final, but the semi-final too - this year. They were even "lucky" to win the subsequent European Super Cup game! The London media just can't get enough of the alliteration in "Lucky Liverpool" it seems. But what about Chelsea? Last season, they beat Liverpool 1-0 at Stamford Bridge thanks to a deflected goal; in the return game at Anfield, it was the exact same, right down to the same goalscorer, except Liverpool were easily the better side on the day, had two clear-cut penalty appeals turned down, and for good measure, Xabi Alonso had his ankle broken by the dirty Frank Lampard. Then the League Cup final? Chelsea were beaten, only for a comparatively unprovoked Steven Gerrard own-goal to rescue the game for them late on. Gerrard was also blatantly pushed over in the Chelsea penalty box, but for the 3rd time in 2 games against Chelsea, Liverpool got no penalty. Meanwhile, Chelsea were progressing in the Champions League thanks to rugby tackling the Barcelona goalkeeper to score their winner, whereas Monaco gained a 1-0 win against Liverpool by their forward clearly controlling the ball with his hand (well, he is Argentinian) to enable him to score, in full view of the referee. But the Chelsea manager is no stranger to benefitting from dodgy decisions, after progressing against Manchester United thanks to a valid but disallowed United goal, the year his Porto side won the Champions League. Then there was last night, and one indisputable penalty that Liverpool were denied (Gallas' handball), one not far off (Drogba's trip on Hyypia), and another couple of incidents (Garcia being pulled at when through on goal; Drogba pulling on Hyypia's shirt) which might have resulted in penalties on another night. Who's really the "lucky" team? Steven Gerrard was LUCKY not to have his ankle broken by another bad Lampard challenge early on last night, but that's about as far as the luck went for anyone on the Liverpool side.




I thought the Liverpool Echo's review of the game was spot on...


SO THIS is Jose Mourinho's definition of vengeance? Parking a London bus in front of the Kop goal?

Chelsea haven't scored against Liverpool for three games and never looked like doing so during a socalled revenge mission which Mourinho must have decided to abort before kick-off.

They came, they saw and they retreated. In numbers. For 90 minutes. And then Mourinho had a moan. Again.

Rafa Benitez has spoken at length about 'progress' so far, citing the recent draws against Middlesbrough, Birmingham and Manchester United and highlighting they were defeats last season.

Following this logic, having beaten Chelsea in the Champions League just four months ago, Liverpool's failure to win here could be viewed as a step back.

Of course, that would be a wholly unfair and inaccurate representation of an enthralling contest. The standard of the Reds' performance in this stalemate underlined the team's gradual development much more effectively than any other encouraging point they've accumulated thus far.

Benitez's side played better in drawing 0-0 than they did in their epic 1-0 win last May.

There were few nervous moments at the back, the Liverpool midfield trampled over Chelsea's, while only the sheer weight of numbers in the visitors' backline made goalscoring opportunities rare.

When Paula Ferreira strolled to the touchline to delay an 88th minute throw-in, Benitez could at least find satisfaction in Chelsea's readiness to escape from Mersey-side with a point.

Where was the brave talk of vengeance when the aptly named Robert Hoof made his traditional late appearance at Anfield, replacing a striker?

Mourinho had the nerve to accuse Liverpool of being a 'direct' team during the post match interviews.

This from a man who plays the Ivory Coast's version of John Fashanu in his forward line, and whose instruction to his full-backs goes no further than get it, launch it, and on no account go into the opponent's half.

How Damien Duff and Arjen Robben must curse the day the phrase 'overlapping run' was erased from the Chelsea coaching manual.

Liverpool were positively adventurous compared to the ultra-cautious visitors, who showed no intent to take the game to the Reds.

True, there was no glorious win for Benitez on this occasion, but the manner in which both coaches utilise their resources leaves no-one in any doubt who has most talent.

Mourinho is the man with the blank chequebook and brash statements, capable of building a side to enthrall the world, but preferring to create a negative, pragmatic team.

When Arsenal and Manchester United came to Anfield at the peak of their powers, they had guile to accompany their arrogance.

They took pleasure in embarrassing Liverpool, and in doing so sent a message across Europe that the balance of power in the English game had shifted.

Chelsea aren't in the same class as those sides. Not on the pitch, nor off it. And while Mourinho plays a tactical game which is essentially an extension of Gerard Houllier's Liverpool with wingers, his self-proclaimed credentials as the 'Special One' won't be recognised beyond West London.

What Benitez would do with similar funds isn't even worthy of speculation.

He's already conquered Europe with a limited squad, and last night he underlined his flair for getting the best out of what he's got.

How Benitez wishes he could call upon a Duff or Robben or Wright-Phillips. If he could, and he had the Premiership title under his belt, he wouldn't employ the stifling tactics which have become Mourinho's gospel.

Far from relying on long, high balls to Peter Crouch, Xabi Alonso and Didi Hamann bossed the centre of the park, making Frank Lampard a spectator and Michael Essien a non-entity.

When Crouch was used, he was up to the same excellent standard he's been since arriving. Each touch, flick and aerial challenge came off. Once more, the only downside is the lack of goalscoring opportunities which are coming his way.

Steven Gerrard was given the freedom to roam and the system was right for the occasion. Liverpool needed a break. Throughout the match they looked most likely to get it, but one thing Chelsea can't be accused of is being generous at the back. They don't make mistakes, which is why they're champions.

Against less packed defences, Crouch will surely reap the rewards his toil deserves, but for now he must block any suggestions of a goal draught from his mind. He's playing marvellously well.

Crouch gave John Terry as much trouble as Rio Ferdinand a fortnight ago, although the Chelsea skipper is made of stronger stuff, and also has nine defenders alongside him to assist when a threat is imminent.

Liverpool's efforts were kept to long range. When they're not taking a corner or free-kick, Chelsea's pace on the flanks is their main artillery, and a rare Liverpool error led to Pepe Reina’s only save of the night from the enigmatic Robben.

There were signs of Chelsea settling just prior to the interval, but the second half was one way traffic.

Far from boring, it was enticing. Every Liverpool player did his duty, but the Chelsea rearguard was too strong.

A suspiciously blatant handball by William Gallas provoked screams of protest led by Jamie Carragher, but the injustice won't be overstated.

[Tommy BOO]

Did you copy that article from The Sun, dRd?

Jose Mourinho is a bunt *, I've known that for a long time and I hate him already, he's the new Alex Ferguson.

* a disease caused by a member of the order Tilletiales, especially species of Tilletia.


_________________
"Tommy Boo has played a pivotal role in my life. I've looked up to him since I was a kid and he has inspired every note of music I have ever written. The man is a fucking genius" -BC

[dRd]

did I copy what from The Sun?

[sparky]

You're not allowed to say cunt.